7.5

pretty bad
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
6,698 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1996 Dodge Neon transmission problems

transmission problem

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1996 Dodge Neon Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #28

May 202011

Neon

  • 137,537 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact was servicing a 1996 Dodge Neon. The vehicle was parked out front of an independent repair shop with the engine turned on when the shifter independently shifted out of park and into reverse. The vehicle travelled approximately eight miles onto the highway at a slow speed. The mechanic chased after the moving vehicle and was eventually able to open the front driver side door and enter the vehicle. The brakes were immediately engaged to stop the vehicle. There were no injuries. The vehicle was driven back to the independent repair shop where the shifter cable was replaced. The failure mileage was 137,537.

- New Haven , IN, USA

problem #27

Sep 212005

Neon 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50,000 miles
I have had ongoing problems with my 1996 Dodge Neon sport, it has been inoperable for the last year or so, due to electrical problems and stalling which I believe stem from the wiring harness. I have had the brakes replaced a few times, the A/C replaced, fuel injection acts up and the fuel gauge fluctuates, my transmission has started slipping, power steering and exhaust are leaking, numerous oil leaks, rear lights/ brake lights have not worked in over a year, driverside window broke along the extending arm inside of the door frame, trunk release is broken and my cruise control is broken! for the last 4months my car has been sitting at atlanta Dodge llc! just after leaving it with their service department, I received a call saying I needed a new battery and until it was replaced for $180 they could not do a diagnostic check for any other problems!! the battery was not even a year old and worked fine when I left the car at the dealership!! but in hopes of any decent service I bought another battery from advanced auto parts $40 and took it in myself. During this visit I reminded them that my make and model car was under a recall, they informed me that it was not!! I gave them the NHTSA recall documentation and was told that it didn't apply to my car, only to the Neons from the plant in New Mexico!! just after thanksgiving I decided to call them to find out what has been going on. I spoke with brian the cs rep. And he informed me that the mechanics could not figure out what was wrong with my car and refused to research any further unless I agreed to spend no less than $250 towards the repairs!! it's not a coincidence that the same parts are in need of repairs as 15,000 other Neons -- regardless of which plant the vehicles were assemblied, the defects lie in the placement and/or manufacturing of the faulty parts and should be covered under any relating recalls! updated 12/1505.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

problem #26

Feb 101998

Neon 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Purchased in July of 1996 only put on 26,345 miles motor mount repaired twice, brakes front replaced they were completly gone, back brakes are no good need to be replaced, high pitch squealing comes from them, oil gasgets had to be replaced, stearing to a hard right or left you get a grinding noise, transmission is know leaking constantly having to put transsmission fluid in all the time have a list of papers from the car being serviced at daimler on andover St in peabody were I purchased car also wrote to main office to see if they would replace the vehicle after purchasing with cash and just got the run around know I am afraid to drive her that is why she only has 26,345 miles on her in 10 years I am not a rich person so I can not afford another car if there is a recall on any of these problems I would like to know so they can be fixed so I can drive her without worrying what will happen next also dampness and mildew smell and other problems.tires also were replaced they wore to quickly.

- Salem, MA, USA

problem #25

May 052002

Neon

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

No summary listed for above vehicle.

- Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA

problem #24

Oct 012001

Neon

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While in parking lot, entering a parking space, transmission siezed and the casing blew to pieces. Pictures are online at www.erols.com/landspeeder for a look-see. The diff. Pin is visible in one picture, it's bent.

- Silver Spring, MD, USA

problem #23

Aug 012000

Neon

  • miles
Oil leak is due to a gasket; transmission went out(could not use reverse until car was on 20 minutes or more), paint has been peeling for about 6 months now, numerous sets of brakes replaced

- Cinti, OH, USA

problem #22

Jul 242001

Neon

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I have the exact same problem twice. The first one was at 29000 miles and transmission was overhauled and oxygene sensor was replaced. Then, at 64000 miles the exact same thing happened. Talked to exteneded warranty company and they said the problems are not realated. Talked to dealership, and they said that the problems were "peculiar". called diamler-Chrysler, and they said that the two systems were not related. But the problems were exactly the same both times.

- Salem, OR, USA

problem #21

Dec 011999

Neon

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Transmission is slipping and wouldn't shift into gear. First time it happened vehicle had 47,000 miles, and the engine was rebuild. Consumer took it to a mechanic to have it rebuild for a second time.

- Coloma, MI, USA

problem #20

Apr 142001

Neon

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Vehicle had skipping in engine and it would jerk as in losing power when accelerating at highway speeds. Vehicle was plugged to computer, and reading showed crank sensor or cam sensor problems. 15 miles later, it cut so smooth that consumer didn't know until accelerating up a hill, it had no power. Vehicle would start up, but wouldn't kick over to run. Consumer has replaced transmission and sensors to rectify problem.

- Parkville, MD, USA

problem #19

Dec 152000

Neon

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Automatic transmission would momentarily slip before engaging while driving. Dealer notified, and informed consume rvehicle was not covered under a manufacturer's recall, and out of warranty. Please feel free to provide any further details on this matter.

- Van Couver, WA, USA

problem #18

Feb 122001

Neon

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Vehicle was difficult to get in reverse. This was worse when 20 to 85 degrees outside. Vehicle would not shift into drive until 55-60 mph, but 1 and 2 were okay. I had the vehicle repaired at local Chicago non-selling Dodge dealer at my cost of $1,200. The dealer advised front pump seal failed causing entire transmission to overheat and fail. The service writer advised this is a common failure with these vehicles. Reviewing web sites (including this one) I see similar complaints for this exact set of symptons. I have recently requested reimbursement from Dodge, but they have not had a chance to respond yet.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #17

Feb 162000

Neon

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving entire electrical system went out. Had no interior or outside lights. Had some leakage from transmission and engine. Took vehicle to dealership, and mechanic repaired leakages/starter/head gaskets/ oil pressure switch, and windshield wipers. Water leak from the trunk to rear floor boards caused corrosion. Also, signal light failed to go off. Consumer states the vehicle had been involved in several accidents befor E purchase.

- Wooster, MA, USA

problem #16

Dec 291999

Neon

  • miles
Head gasket was first replaced under warranty with 20,901 miles on the vehicle. The transmission let go with 35,654 miles on the vehicle. My vehicle was out of warranty at this time. The head gasket failed a second time with 46,958 miles on the vehicle. This repair was done at dartmouth Dodge, 225 state rd., North dartmouth, MA. 02747, since it was closer to my home, and they were not in business at the time that I purchased the vehicle. Chrysler gave me a $300 credit towards the repair of the head gasket. I strongly feel that I should be reimbursed for this repair since it was replaced under warranty the first time, and it broke again approximately 26,000 later. Apparently, there has been a problem with head gaskets for this vehicle. I also feel that a recall campaign should be instituted to repair all these vehicles since it is a common problem with them.

- South Dartmouth, MA, USA

problem #15

Feb 062000

Neon

  • miles
Transmission failed while driving.

- Oneida, NY, USA

problem #14

Dec 012000

Neon

  • miles
Head gasket is a known issue at Chrysler, and should have been rectified by recall. Transmission also had to be replaced. Electrical problems becuase because of poor design. Chrysler did not help becuase of mileage and used car. What can a 19 yr old afford other than a used car?

- Hudson, WI, USA

problem #13

Apr 302000

(reported on)

Neon

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
This car has had 3 transmissions and now needs another with only 56,200 miles. It has also had a starter, radiator, battery, 7 front right tires(none from nails etc.),2 head gaskets, egr valve, multifunction switch, 2 sets of brakes(which still make noise). Our mechanic has told us that the 96 Neon is a lemon. The brakes are made from a metal that rusts very quickly and the head gaskets are faulty and will continue to have problems. What can I say about the transmission"? is 4 too many for a car with only 50+thousand miles?" help!!!!( dot number: Tire size: 1857014 )

- Paola, KS, USA

problem #12

Sep 201998

Neon

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The vehicle slips in and out of gear when in motion. Has always been difficult to engage reverse gear to move car in morning. Engine transmission specialists cannot detect problem but confirm that it exists.

- Menlo Park, CA, USA

problem #11

Mar 181996

Neon

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Ongoing problem with a 2.0L engine head gasket failure. From March of 1996 to present, vehicle has experienced replacement of 2 head gaskets, egr valve with eet, oil pressure sensor/switch, and transmission.

- Garnerville, NY, USA

problem #10

Dec 051999

(reported on)

Neon

  • miles
The defective automatic transmission in this vehicle causes the engine to stop when decelerating. The defective transmission is a common problem for this years model according to local transmission shops. Also the transmission was changed for the next years model.

- Roseville, CA, USA

problem #9

Jul 121999

(reported on)

Neon

  • miles
Vehicle has had to have a new transmission, head gasket, spark plugs and wires, and the fuel gauge stopped functioning. All before 60,000 miles.

- Nerstrand, MN, USA

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